The anger was provoked by 'Jabba's Palace', a model from Lego's product range based on the series of 'Star Wars' films.

Austria's Turkish community said the model was based on Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul and that the accompanying figures depicted Asians and Orientals as people with "deceitful and criminal personalities".

The Turkish Cultural Community of Austria released a statement calling for Lego to apologise for affronting religious and cultural feelings.

The Lego model depicts the home of Jabba the Hutt from the 'Star Wars' film. Jabba is the large slug-like creature who holds Han Solo captive in the film 'Return of the Jedi', and his palace is the setting for several crucial scenes.